On Her Conveying a Viper into a Clergyman's Pocket, at the Earl of Orrery's, at Marston-House, Aug. 1744. <br /> <br />Possest with such resistless charms, <br />Why should you covet other arms? <br />Why any foreign aid explore, <br />You who cou'd wound too fast before? <br />With Cupid's whole artillery clad, <br />'Twas barbarous, poison'd darts to add. <br /> <br /> <br />In other foes 'tis deem'd unfair, <br />With venom'd arms to wage a war, <br />Achilles, or fam'd Pella's lord, <br />In poison never dipt their sword. <br />Tyrants, of high despotic views, <br />Will arbitrary weapons use. <br />Sure you are some tyrannic maid, <br />To call in Vipers to your aid, <br />And make us run still further risque; <br />You, who have eyes of Basilisk. <br />But as of old, in Eden's ground, <br />Serpents in flow'ry fields were found: <br />So hence this Moral we may take, <br />No Paradise without a Snake. <br /> <br /> <br />'Twas well a grave and reverend Seer <br />You thus inspir'd with mortal fear; <br />For men of sanctity, they say, <br />With spells can conjure harm away: <br />But ah! no spells can exorcise <br />The fatal magic of your Eyes; <br />Eyes that at every glance can kill, <br />And baffle Mead's, and Galen's skill.<br /><br />Samuel Bowden<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-a-beautiful-young-lady/
